Attempts to deceive through phone calls or text messages have seen a notable rise.
In an effort to combat the increasing frequency of computer scams involving fake phone numbers, European countries are leveraging advanced technological and regulatory measures. While specific details about Italy's planned automatic blocking methods were not directly provided, the continent is taking a multi-faceted approach to address this growing issue.
One key strategy involves the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) systems. Telecom providers and businesses are deploying these technologies to analyse call data in real-time, detecting suspicious patterns indicative of scams or fraudulent activity. These systems can automatically block or flag calls originating from fake or fraudulent numbers, thus preventing scams before they reach consumers.
Another approach is the use of blockchain technology. Some telecom operators utilise blockchain for securing and verifying telecom transactions, ensuring immutability and transparency. This technology helps prevent scammers from manipulating number data, and smart contracts can enforce automatic blocking rules for unauthorised users.
Businesses and telecom companies are also configuring their systems to block calls from countries or regions outside their operational scope, often maintaining and updating blacklists of known fraudulent numbers. This approach is likely informing Italy’s planned automatic blocking methods to reduce scam calls from foreign or suspicious sources.
European bodies such as the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) play a significant role in fraud detection and prevention through investigations and cooperation with national agencies. Although OLAF focuses broadly on fraud, such collaboration creates a strong framework enabling member states like Italy to implement effective countermeasures.
In addition to technological solutions, Europe and other regions run public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about scam tactics, helping to reduce victimisation.
In Italy, the plan to implement automatic blocking methods likely involves integrating AI-driven detection with telecom network capabilities to automatically identify and block scam calls based on patterns and databases of fake numbers. This mirrors international best practices where systems dynamically learn and adapt to evolving scam strategies, reducing consumer exposure and fraud prevalence.
However, not all European countries are following the same path. For instance, Portugal's approach to addressing these scams appears to be different, as the country does not seem to be focusing on automatic blocking methods.
As the number of daily complaints received by the Judicial Police regarding computer scams is rising, the current situation in Portugal is concerning. Phone records now contain messages or calls from numbers that are difficult to identify as potential scams, and the criminals involved in these scams use databases available on the internet or information provided on social media.
The losses from these scams are expected to amount to thousands of euros, and some devices do not classify these suspicious numbers as spam. The calls often offer enticing propositions, either for a job or an investment, and the voice on the other end is usually generated by artificial intelligence.
In 2023, there were over 18,800 reports of computer scams in Europe. These numbers no longer have an international identifier, making them difficult to trace and catch. As the scam networks continue to evolve, European countries will need to remain vigilant and adapt their strategies accordingly.
While the effectiveness of automatic blocking methods in preventing these scams is not yet clear, the implementation of such measures in certain European countries, such as Italy, represents a proactive step towards protecting consumers and safeguarding funds. As the battle against computer scams continues, it is crucial for countries to collaborate and share best practices to ensure a comprehensive and effective response.
Technology plays a vital role in general-news as European countries use it to combat computer scams, such as the implementation of AI and ML systems to detect and block fraudulent calls. Meanwhile, crime-and-justice issues persist, with Portugal facing an increasing number of computer scams. While Portugal might not be employing automatic blocking methods like Italy, the losses from these scams could still reach thousands of euros.
